SEATTLE, Feb. 18, 2014 -- Global research and analytics firm Blueocean Market Intelligence announced today it finalized an acquisition agreement with Cognicient, a leading market research technology provider specializing in data integration. The acquired assets include intellectual property and key staff. This acquisition enables Blueocean to bring its LINK solution to enterprise companies, a powerful combination of sophisticated data management software and intelligence services, both crucial in today’s data-rich world.

The Cognicient acquisition coincides with a significant industry shift, says Blueocean Market Intelligence CEO Kumar Mehta, Ph.D., addressing a growing gap in the management of structured and unstructured data, and the ability for businesses to analyze and extract useful insights that to informed decision-making and better business performance.

“Following the year of Big Data, 2014 will be about integrating numerous sources and formats of information into a single holistic view,” said Mehta. “Until now, no other research and analytics firm has had the in-house abilities to effectively house and manage all types of data, and also provide the necessary insights services to support a data-oriented marketing strategy.”

The LINK software suite from Cognicient enables businesses to create a single, real-time repository of data, regardless of the agency, software or language used in the collection. It aggregates information together in a meaningful way so comparisons can be made between the data and artificial barriers that normally exist are broken down. Leading global brands have leveraged the flexible LINK suite to organize, mine and unite all types of data, from market research and business intelligence to syndicated, social, and transactional.

“Blueocean Market Intelligence’s analytics expertise combined with Cognicient’s advanced data management and reporting system will enable marketing managers worldwide the ability to integrate and leverage all of their data assets to generate a true 360 view of their customers,” said Mehta.

Blueocean Market Intelligence will host a live demo on Tuesday, March 25 at 9 a.m. PDT to introduce enterprises to the features and benefits of the LINK solution. To register visit https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/531731654.

As part of the acquisition, Cognicient’s chief executive officer, Mike Page, will join Blueocean Market Intelligence as vice president -- client services and technology at the company’s new office in London, which opens this month. Page will direct Blueocean Market Intelligence’s European business while also supervising the company’s technology solutions worldwide.

“I am thrilled to join forces with Blueocean Market Intelligence to help businesses truly maximize their research and analytics investments,” said Page. “Too many companies are failing to integrate and make effective use of the data they already have. Basic collection is simply not enough. Companies that focus on information synthesis and generating triangulated insights to solve complex business problems will edge out their competitors.”

Page has 18 years of experience in the market research industry, specializing in the implementation of new technologies and methods. Over the course of his career, he has held various senior positions including director of for Synovate, global account director with SPSS and head of Research Technology worldwide for Research International.

For more information, visit www.blueoceanmi.com.

About Blueocean Market Intelligence

Blueocean Market Intelligence is a leading next-generation services organization with a deep focus on data analytics, digital and market intelligence. Combining the talent, speed and cost benefits of a flat world, with vast experience in scalable delivery, Blueocean Market Intelligence delivers richer, more actionable insights to multi-nationals across all major industry sectors.

Blueocean Market Intelligence is part of the Cross-Tab group of companies (Cross-Tab Marketing Services, Informate Mobile Intelligence and Borderless Access Panels) that includes more than 700 professionals specializing in data analytics, social intelligence, market intelligence, and emerging markets. To learn more, visit www.blueoceanmi.com.